London Overground should be handed control of local rail services

Joanne McCartney AM today asked the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan to provide an update on his discussions with the Government to devolve the Great Northern lines to Transport for London (TfL).

An independent report by Chris Gibb, a non-executive director of Network Rail, in 2017 recommended that TfL take over the Great Northern Metro lines which run out of Moorgate, through Enfield & Haringey.

Mr Gibb’s proposal stated that it would reduce the risk to the current train operator, GTR, and that this could happen as soon as 2018.

However, the Government suggested that the decision needed “further assessment”. The Mayor said he had seen a new willingness from the Department for Transport to engage in conversations and he is hopeful of progress.

“TfL have shown they can improve their existing rail services, such as the Greater Anglia lines which run through Enfield & Haringey. They have proved that they can absorb more responsibility and deliver a better journey for passengers. The Government needs to listen to their own independent report and devolve the Great Northern lines to TfL as soon as possible.”